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Updated: Feb 20, 2026

Determination of Fatty Acid Oxidation and Lipogenesis in Mouse Primary Hepatocytes
Published on: August 27, 2015
Infant with hepatomegaly and hypoglycemia: A setting for fatty acid oxidation defects
Aathira Ravindranath1, Gautham Pai1, Anshu Srivastava2
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226 014, India.
Insights
Fatty acid oxidation defects (FAOD) are common metabolic liver diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment, including carnitine supplementation, lead to excellent outcomes in affected infants.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Fatty acid oxidation defects (FAODs) are a frequent cause of metabolic liver disease (MLD).
- FAODs present with diverse clinical manifestations across various age groups.
Observation:
- An infant presented with jaundice, irritability, and hepatomegaly.
- Investigations revealed non-ketotic hypoglycemia, indicative of FAOD.
Findings:
- The infant was diagnosed with a carnitine uptake defect via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and mutation analysis.
- Treatment with metabolic crisis management, carnitine supplementation, and corn starch therapy led to recovery.
Implications:
- Non-ketotic hypoglycemia is a key indicator for FAODs.
- Prompt diagnosis and management of FAODs are crucial for favorable patient outcomes.
- This case highlights the importance of early intervention in metabolic liver diseases.
Abstract:
Fatty acid oxidation defects (FAOD) are one of the commonest metabolic liver diseases (MLDs) that can have varied presentations in different age groups. An infant presented with short history of jaundice and irritability, examination showed soft hepatomegaly. Investigations revealed non-ketotic hypoglycemia suggesting FAOD which was later confirmed as carnitine uptake defect with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and mutation analysis. Patient improved with acute management of metabolic crisis, carnitine supplementation and corn starch therapy with reversal of encephalopathy, reduction in hepatomegaly, maintenance of euglycemia and improvement in liver function tests and creatine phosphokinase on follow up. Non-ketotic hypoglycemia is a characteristic finding in FAODs. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can result in excellent outcomes in patients with FAODs.
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